Weighing-mac mine



3 Sheets--Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

F. H. RICHARDS.

WBIGHING MACHINE.

Patented May 5, 1896.

E@ @En AN DREW B GRAHAM. PMOTO-IJTHQWASHI NGTDN. n.0

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

P.' H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MACHINE.

xm @l Witnesses.-

Iam/e n to 7,

ANDREW B GRAHAM PHOTO-UTMQWASHINGTONDE IhvrrEn STATES PATENT Y@EricaFRANCIS Il. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

WElGHiNG-IVIACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,749, dated May 5,1896.

Application filed January 13, 1895. Serial No. 575,220x (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

15e it known that l, Farmers Il. RIcHAi-ms, a citizen of thc UnitedStates, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inIVeighing-Machin es, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to weighing apparatuses particularly adapted forthe automatic weighing, delivering, and subsequent mixing of differentmaterials in equal or varying proportions, the object being to provide apair of weighing-machines and means operated by one of said machines fordischarging the bucket-load of the other machine.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure l is a righthand elevation of a weighing apparatus embodying' mypresent invention, the primary machine of the apparatus being designatedby A and the secondary machine being designated by B, the valves in bothmachines being open to permit the flow of the supply-streams into thebuckets and the bucket-@losers thereof being closed. Fig. 2 is a detailview,in front elevation, of a portion of the secondary weighing-machine.Fig. 3 is a view of the apparatus similar to Fig. l, the valves of bothmachines being closed and the bucket-@losers opened for discharging thebucket-loads. Fig. 4 is a detail view, in front elevation, of a part ofthe primary weighing-machine, the base or bed being illustrated intransverse section. Fig. is a right-hand end elevation of the apparatus,illustrating one modification of the invention, but portions of themachines being shown and the bucket-closers of said machines beingillustrated in the two positions thereof by dotted lines.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

My present invention embodies a pair of weighing-machines and meansoperated by one of said machines for discharging the bucket-load oftheother machine.

It is to be distinctly understood that my invention is not limited tothe employment of any particular weighing-machine; but for the purposeof illust-rating the nature of my invention I have illustrated twoweighing-machines, which are of the well-known singlechamhercd type orclass and which are substantially similar to the improvedweighingmachine disclosed and claimed in Letters Patent No. 548,84@grantedto me October 29, 1895, and devices and mechanisms common to bothof said machines Will be designated by the same reference-characters. Ina number of the arts it is essential that certain ingredients should bemixed in 'predetermined ratios or proportions. For example, in milling,it is customary in flour-making to mix a certain percentage of one grainwith that of another, and in the manufacture of proprietary foods threeand sometimes more materials are thus mixed. Again, in cement-mak-- ing,predetermined and varying proportions of stone are mixed during theprocess of manufacture, the proportions varying, of course, with thedifferent and peculiar characteristics sought for in the iinishedproduct or article. Again, it is usual to mix different qualities andsizes of coal for furnace use, the idea being to secure the mostadvantageous results therefrom. My improvement embodies as the basicidea thereof two Weighing-machines, one of which operates to dischargethe other, the material being supplied and discharged automatically byone machine and thus operating to automatically discharge the other, thelast-mentioned function being' performed by a self-dischargin gweighingmachine or what may be conveniently termed the primaryweighing-machine, the other weighing-machine constituting a secondarymachine,

Mypresent improvements contemplate also the provision of means forsecuring a differential ratio of bucket-discharge-that is to say, theratio of bucket-discharge may be varied at will by increasing ordecreasing the number of bucket-discharges of one of suchweighing-machines relatively to the other. Heretofore in mixing thesevarious ingredients the presence of an attendant has been necessary toWatch the operation of the machines, he merely guessing at orapproximating the proportions to be mixed, and in only certain cases issuch a course feasible, the very large capacity of machines for weighingcertain materials rendering such a procedure entirely impracticable.

By my improvements the presence of an attendant is dispensed with, and,one machine IOO discharging the'other, the proportion of ingredientscomposing a mixture may be citected automatically and with exaetness andprecision.

As the primary and secondary weighing-machin es (design atedhereinbefore,respectively, by A and B) are the same in all materialrespects it is deemed necessary to describe but the primaryweighing-machine A.

The framework for carrying the operative parts of the wei ghin g-machinemay be ot any suitable construction and is shown comprising two sidetrames or members 2 and 4, mounted upon the chambered supportingbase andjoined by the top plate 5, which latter is illustrated carrying thesupply-chute H for containing the mass of material to be weighed and fordirecting a stream of material therefrom into the bucket ot the machine.

The base 3 is illustrated carrying suitable beam-supports for supportingthe beam mechanism, which carries the bucket mechanism, consisting ofthe bucket and its operative devices. These beam-suplaorts are tourinnumber, and two of them are shown as V-shaped bearings 2O and 20.

As a means for supporting the bucket, which is designated in a generalway by G, the beam mechanism shown is preferably employed,

which consists of the oppositely disposed eounterweightedscale-beam Band B, respectively, which are pivotally mounted on the beam-supports 2Oand 20, as by means of the pivots or knife-edges 24C and 24J, whichcorrespond'in number and position with the beamsupports 20 and 29.

The beam-arms of the scale-beams B and B, intermediate of thebeam-supports, are illustrated carrying bucket-supports, two of whichare shown at l5 and l5 as pivots or knife-edges. The bucket G inpractice carries hangers at each end thereof, one of which isillustrated at 555 carrying t-shaped bearings 16, which are pivotallysupported bythe pivots or knife-edges l5 and l5.

The bucket mechanism embodies two members, one of which is shi'i'tablerelatively to the other for discharging the bucket-load, an d which isnormally held against movement, and the bucket-closer L is shownconstituting such shiftable bucket-discharge member. The bucket-closer Lis shown having a countcrweighted plate 79, preferably formed integraltherewith, the closer being also illustrated as pivoted at 77 to thelower side of the bucket G and adjacent to one side otl thedischarge-opening thereof.

As a means for supporting the bucket-closer L an inverted toggleconnection is shown conneeting the closer and the bucket, and thistoggle connection is so positioned as to be engaged by a closer-latchwhen the latch is in its operative position and the closer is shut or inits normal position. ln the form shown this toggle comprises a rocker550, pivoted adjacent to the upper rearward side of the bucket andhavinga long connecting-rod 596,

pivoted to said rocker and also to the closer in such a manner that whenthe closer is shut the two pivots of said connecting-rod or togglemember will be nearly in line with and the upper of said pivots will beabove the locker-pivot, whereby, when the rocker is engaged by thebucket-closer latch and held in that position, the closer will besupported with a minimum pressure on the latch, as practically all ofthe weight of the bucket contents will be carried on the pivot 550H ot'the rocker 550.

The bucket-closer latch for locking the rocker in position when thecloser is sluit is designated by 82, and is shown pivoted at 87 on thebucket G, and as having a detent or stop 8l in position for engaging acooperatin g stop on the toggle connection when the parts are in theclosed position previously described. This coperatin g stop of thetoggle connection is illustrated at 559 carried on the rocker. Thebucket-closer latch 82 is shown eounterweighted and limited in itsmovement toward the stop on the toggle connection by suitable stops,such as 82', 82, and 82". In the embodiment illustrated in the presentcase the closer-latch 82 swings upwardly to engage the detent on therocker and is released from engagement therewith by a downward movement.

As a means for controlling the supplystream, which fiows from thesupply-chute ll into the bucket G, l prefer to employ a stream.-controlling valve,substantially similar to that shown in Letters PatentNo. 535,727, granted to me March lil, 1895. Such avalve is shown at 70,pivoted at 7 O for oscillatory movement beneath the month of thesupply-chute il. In practice said valve is pivotally supported withinarms or brackets depending from the top plate 5 of the machine, one ot"these being shown at 5'.

As a means for actuating the valve to close the same any convenientvalve-closing mechanism may be employed. For example, the valve-closingmechanism disclosed and claimed in Letters Patent No. 548, 843, grantedto me October 29, 1895, may be used.

As a means for aetuatin g the valve to open the same I prefer to employthe mechanism disclosed and claimed in Letters 'Patent No. 5-i8,839,granted to me October 29, 1895, which will now be described.

rlhe valve 70 is shown in the drawings having a long connecting rod orarm 558 pivotally secured to the upper rear portion thereof and havingthe lower end ot said rod in position to be engaged by a valve-openingactuator, said connecting-rod being also illustrated pivotally connectedwith a iixed part of the machine by the connecting-link 558', whichoperates to maintain the connectingrod 558 in an operative position.

The connecting-rod 558 is illustrated constituting the means fortransmitting to the Valve the valve-openin g movement ot avalveactuator, and that valve-actuator, which has ITO for its functionthe operation of opening the valve, is shown herein pivotally mounted onthe scale-beam B. In the form shown this valve-openin g actuatorconsists of a lever 551, pivoted at 551 to the scale-beam B andcounterweighted at its rear end. This actuator which constitutes asupplemental counterpoise, normally forms a part of thebucketcounterpoising portion of the scale-beam B, a stop 551, carried bythe scale-beam B, being employed for maintaining said shiftable memberin its normal position, as indicated in Fig. l.. This actuator 551 isautomatically shift'able from the counterpoising onto the poising sideof the scale-beam B, the lastmentioned position being illustrated inFig'. 2. On the return stroke of said actuator the latter en gages theconnecting-rod for imparti ing an upward thrust thereto for opening' thevalve 70. On the descent of the bucket-andbeam mechanism thisconnecting-rod, by engaging the shiftable member 551, serves also tolimit or check the closing' movement of said valve by the valve-closingmechanism.

As hereinbeforc described, the two weighing-machines, the primarymachine A and the secondary machine B, are substantially the same.

The primary machine A, it is apparent, is a self-dischargin g machine.

It will be remembered that a latch 82 has been described as normallyholding the shiftable member or bucket-closer L against movement, thislatch having a detent or stop Sl in position for engaging a cooperatingstop 550 of the rocker or toggle member 550, which constitutes a part ofthe closer-supporting means. As a means for disengaging the latch fromthe rocker 550 l prefer to employ a valve-operated actuator or releaserdevice. The connecting-rod 55S, which is operative with the valve 70,has a descending movement on the closing of said valve and will carry aproperly-posit-ioned actuator or releaser device, such as S8, fortripping said latch. The latch 82 is illustrated carrying' a stop 83 tothe rear of the pivot thereof, which is shown located in the path ofmovement of said actuator SS. It will be apparent that on the cut off ofthe supply-stream by the valve 70, the latter in practice having anaccelerated cutoff movement, the actuator 8S will be projected intoengagement with the stop S3 of the latch S2, thereby depressing saidlatch and disengaging the latch and rocker detents Sl and 550',respectively. rlhe bucket-closer then being' free of all restraint, theweight of the mass in the bucket resting on said closer will force thesame open for discharging the bucket-load.

The primary and secondary weighing-mal chines are operatively connected,and the secondary weighing-machine B carries on some part thereof anormally stationary actuator, which is so connected as to be operated bythe primary weighing-machine A, and this actuator, at a predeterminedpoint in the operation of the machine, is carried into position forreleasing the shiftable member or bucketcloser L of the secondaryweighing-machine B.

The side frame 2 of the secondary weighing-machine B is illustratedcarrying a guidebracket 25, which supports for vertical movement theactuator-carrier or connecting-rod 2G. The connecting-rod 26 at thelower end thereof is shown operatively connected with one member of anangle-lever 27, the other member of said angle-lever 27 beingoperatively connected with the connector 28, said angle-lever beingpivotally supported by the side frame 2 of the secondaryweighing-machine B. The connecting-rod 2G is illustrated carrying'thereon, at a suitable point, the actuator or releaser device 88', whichis illustrated as a by-pass actuator-that is, one having alternateeffective and ineffective strokes on the descent and ascent,respectively, of the connecting-rod 26. The actuator 8S is pivotallysupported by the connecting-rod, and is shown counterweighted to therear of the pivot thereof, as indicated in Figs. Al, 3, and 5. Thetendency of this actuator 8S is to move in an upward direction, but thiswill be prevented by the relatively-fixed stop S8, carried by theconnecting-rod 26. It is assumed that this actuator is in its normalposition-that is, (see dotted lines, Fig. 5,) above the stop-pin 88.)Vhen the connecting-rod 2G is pulled downwardly, this actuator willengage the st op 83 of the latch 82, thereby depressing said latch andreleasing' the shiftable member L, said actuator 89, when held againstmovement by the fixed stop SS, being in the nature of a fixed abutment.Should said actuator pass below the stop-pin 83 of the latch S2 on thedescending movement thereof, on the ascending movement of saidconnecting-rod and actuator S8 said stop-pin 83 on the latch 82 wouldengage and depress said actuator S3, oscillating the same about itspivot, whereby said actuator may be permitted to pass by said latch andthen resume its normal position, as indicated in Fig. l. )Viren saidactuator has passed by the stoppin S3', it will drop to its normalposition, as indicated in said Fig. l.

The means illustrated in Fig. l for maintaining the actuator 8S of thesecondary weighing-machine in its normal or ineffective position is aretracting-sprin 0 29,which is connected with the lower member or arm ofthe angle-lever 27 and also with some xed part of said machine, (hereinillustrated as the base 3 thereof.) It will be remembered that aconnector 28 has been described as operatively connected with theangle-lever 27and also with some movable part of the primaryweighingmachine A, (herein illustrated as the bucket-closer L thereof.)It will be apparent that when said connector 2S is operated or drawn inone direction (herein illustrated as the left) the connecting-rod 2G,through the interposed angle-lever 27, will be pulled downwardly, andthat the actuator 88 on said IOO IIO

connecting-rod 2G will be carried into position for releasing theshiftable member of the bucket mechanism of the secondaryweighing-machine B by engaging the bucket-closer latch 82, therebydepressing the same, and disengaging the cooperating detents,respectively, of the latch 82 and toggle member or rocker 550, asindicated in Fig. 2; and it will be likewise apparent that when saidconnector is released the retracting-sprin 2f) will return the actuator88 to its normal position, as indicated in Fig. l.

The connector 28 is shown carried by a lixed part of the apparatus(herein illustrated as the primary machine A) and support-ed forhorizontal movement by the guidin and supporting bracket 30, carried bythe base 3 of said machine. This connector is in position to be operatedon and by the opening movement of the bucket closer of the primaryweighing-machine, whereby when this operation occurs the bucket-closerof the secondary machine will be likewise released for discharging thebucket-load thereof. llence it is evident that two operatively connectedweighing-machines are provided, one of which normally tends to dischargethe other by operative connections between the shiftable members of thebucket mechanisms thereof.

Mypresent invention also contemplates the provision of means forthrowing one of these operatively-connected machines out of action it'it should be desired to use but one of the two. The means shown for thispurpose consists of a pawl and ratchet, said pawl being operativelyconnected with the closer and being adapted normally to rotate theratchet one division or tooth on each movement of the bucket-closer. Bysimply raising the pawl (illustrated as a gravity-pawl) out ofengagement with the cooperating ratchet it is apparent that said pawlwill be ineffective for rotating said ratchet. The base 8 of the primarymachine is illustrated carrying on its upper face the brackets 3l and32, in which is shown supported for rocking movement the rock-shaft 38,which is operatively connected, respectively, with the bucket-closer Land with the pawl Set. The inner end of the rockshaft is shown carryingthe rock-ar n1 S5,which 'is ixedly secured thereto, and to which isshown pivotally connected the connectinglink 36, the latter being alsoillustrated pivotally connected with the bucket-closer L at a pointabove the pivot or axis of movement thereof. The outer end of therock-shaft 83 is illustrated carrying a second rock-arm 37, to which isshown pivotally connected the gravity-pawl 34:,which is adapted forengaging the teeth of and thereby rotating the ratchet 38.

It is apparent that on the opening movement of the closer L of theprimary weighingmachine A the connecting-link SG is thrust to the left,and the rock-shaft 33 and rock-arms 85 and 37 carried thereby are movedin a coinciding direction, so that the pawl 3l, carried by the rock-arm37, by engaging one of the teeth of the ratchet 38 rotates the latterone division or tooth.

The ratchet or rotatable member 58 carries suitable projections or pinsfor engaging and operating the connector 28, which on the rotation ofthe ratchet draws said connector to the left, and through the interposedangle-lever connected with the connecting-rod 26 pulls the actuator 88'downwardly into position for releasing the shiftable member ot' thebucket mechanism of the secondary weighing-machine B, whereby apredetermined ratio of bucket-discharge of the two machines is secured.

My invention also contemplates the provi- .sionof means for securing adifferential ratio of bucket-discharge-that is to say, where theapparatus is weighing and discharging two loads by one machine to oneload of the other machine this ratio may be varied and a ratio of threeto one quickly secured, or these proportions may be varied at will bysaid means.

The rotatable member or ratchet 33 is illustrated as having formedtherein the circular series of holes 89, which correspond in number andposition with the divisions or teeth of said ratchet, into which may beset the removable pins 4:0.

On reference to Figs. l and a the ratio ol bucket discharge of theapparatus there shown is three discharges by the primaryweighing-machine to one discharge of the secondary weighing-machineB-that is to say, the removable pins a() are set in every fourth hole onthe ratchet 88. The connector 28 at the free end thereof (see Figs. land is shown as having formed thereon a projection fil, which is inposition to be engaged by the devices or pins 40, carried by the ratchet38 on the rotation thereof.

In Fig. l, which illustrates the normal position of the pawl andratchet, it is observed that the uppermost` pin a() is in engagementwith the projection il of the connector 28, and it is likewise apparentthat on the opening movement of the bucket-closer said connector 28 willbe operated or drawn to the left, this action pulling down theconnectingrod 2G, which latter carries the actuator 88, and the latter,at a predetermined point in the descent of said rod 26, will engage thelatch 82, and on the continued movement of said actuator the latch willbe depressed by said actuator 88, thereby releasing the bucketcloser Lof the second weighiiiig-machine ll. On the rotation of the ratchet 38the trip-pin a0, which operates the connector 28, will be carried beyondthe plane of movement of the connector 28, thereby releasing the latter,at which time the retracting-spring 29 will immediately return saidconnector to the normal position thereof, whereby the projectionetlthereof may be engaged by a succeeding pin 40 of the ratchet 38. Tosecure any other ratio than a three-to-one ratio, as shown in IOO IIO

Fig. l, the removable pins are set in the proper holes 39 to secure sucha desired ratio of bucket-discharge.

lVhen it is desired to use but one of the normally-connected machines,the gravitypawl 3-1 is raised from engagement with the teeth of theratchet 3S and thrown over a vertical line passing through the center ofmovement of said pawl, where it may rest on the stop 3l" on some iiXedpart of the machine A, thus of course throwing the machine B out ofaction, as said pawl will be in operation on the opening movement of thecloser L of the primary machine.

ln Fig. 5 I have shown one modification of the apparatus for securing apredetermined ratio of bucket-dische rge thereof, and in which theconnector 2S' is shown pivotally supported at SO' by the base 3 of thesecondary machine B. The connector 28' is shown provided with a weight29', which is preferably adjustable along said connector. The right-handend of the connector is shown directly and pivotally connected at 27'with the connecting-rod 26', which carries the actuator SS' forreleasing the latch 82. The weight 29', exerting a downward force on theconnector 2S', tends, naturally, to maintain the actuator S8 in itsuppermost or inoperative position, as indicated by the dotted lines inFig. 5. The free end of the connector 28' is in position to be actuatedby means carried by the closer, the means shown for this purpose being aprojection of a pin 36', carried by the bucket-closer L of the primaryweighing-machine A. The free end of the connector 28' rests on said pinor projection 36' and on the descent of the bucket of said machine A hasa descending movement therewith. As that part of the connector 28' tothe left of its pivot, as just stated, has a descending movenient withthe bucket-this in practice being quite liinited-it is apparent that thepart of the connector 2S' to the right of the pivot thereof has anascending movement, and it is apparent that the actuator S8' thereonwill be thrust in an upward direction, through the upward movement ofthe actuator-carrier 26', and away from the latch 82, which normallyholds the bucket-closer L of the secondary weighing-machine B againstopening movement.

It will be observed that the actuator projection 36', carried by thebucket-closer L of the primary weighing-machine A, is located at a pointbelow the pivot thereof when said closer is in its closed position, asindicated by the dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 5. @n the opening movementof the bucket-closer L of said primary weighing-machine it is observedthat the actuator 36' thereon moves in an upward plane, which is ofrelatively considerable extent, and it is likewise apparent that saidactuator or pin 36', being in engagement with the free end of theconnector 28', will thrust the latter in an upward direction, so thatthat part of the connector28' tothe right of the pivot thereof will bepulled downwardly, this action exerting a downward pull on iheconnecting-rod 26', whereby at a predetermined point in the descent ofthe latter said actuator SS' engages the latch S2, thereby depressingthe same and disengaging the latch and toggle detents Sl and 556',respectively, and freeing the bucket-closer L of the secondaryweighing-machine B for discharging the bucket-load thereof.

The bucket-closer L of the primary machine A is illustrated carrying astop-pin or projection 28" for supporting the connector 2S', therebymaintaining the latter in an operative position where it may be engagedby the actuator 36' on the opening movement of the bucket-closer L ofthe primary weighingmachine A.

The operation of my weighing apparatus, briefly described, is asfollows: The supplystreams are flowing simultaneously into the bucketsof both the primary and secondary weighing-machines, the valves thereofbeing in the open positions, as indicated in Fig. l. It will be assumedthat the bucket-loads are complete in both machines, the valves thereofeach having eut off its proper supply-stream. (See Fig. 3.) Succeeding'the cut off of the supply-stream by the valve of the primaryweighing-machine A the actuator S8, which is operative with said valve,will engage the stop-pin 83' of the latch, and thereby depress the same,disengaging the latch-detent 8l from the detent 550' of the rocker 550.Then these detents are disengaged, the bucketcloserL of the primaryweighing-machine, being free of all restraint, the weight of the mass inthe bucket, pressing against the bucketcloser L, forces the same openfor discharging the bucket-load therein. On the opening movement of thebucket-closer L the connecting-rod 36 will be thrust to the left,thereby rocking the rock-shaft 33 and rock-arms 35 and 37 in acoinciding direction, this action thrusting the pawl 34 to the left, thelatter rotating the ratchet 3S one division or tooth. On the rotation ofthe ratchet 3S, one of the pins L LO thereof being in engagement withthe projection 4l of the connector 2S, the connector will be drawn tothe left. On the move- 'ment of the connector 28 in the directionindicated, said connector, through the interposed an gle-lever 27, pullsthe connecting-rod 26 downwardly, so that the actuator S8' thereon willbe carried into engagement with the stop-pin S3', carried by the latch82 of the secondary weighing-machine B. On the depression of the latchS2 the latch and rocker detents 8l and 550' are disengaged, whereby theweight of material, pressing against the bucket-closer L of thesecondary weighingmachine, forces the same open, as in the primaryweighing-niachine A, for discharging the bucket-load of the former.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-- l. In aweighiiig-machine, the combination IOO IIO

IIS

with a pair of operatively-connected weighing-machines, one of which isoperable lor discharging the bucket-load of the other machine; of meansfor throwing one of said machines out of action.

2. In an apparatus of the class speciiied, the combination with a pairof coactin g weighingmachines, one of which embodies two members, one ofwhich is shiftable relatively to the other for discharging thebucket-load and is normally held against shifting movement; oi' meansoperated by the other machine for releasing said shiftable member.

3. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, each olf which has a member whichis shiftable fordischarging the bucket-load; o'l' means for holding said shiftablemembers against movement; means for releasing one ot said members; andmeans, operated by said released member, for releasing the shiftablemember ot the other machine.

4. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, each having a bucket provided with a closernormally held against movement; and means operated by one closer forreleasing the other closer, on the opening movement of saidrst-mentioned closer.

5. In' an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one oi' which embodies a shiftable member normallyheld against movement; of an actuator operable for releasing saidshittablc member; means operated by the other machine for operating saidactuator; and means for maintaining said actuator normally in aninoperative position.

6. In an apparatus of the class speciilied, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, each provided with a bucket having av closernormally held against movement; oi' a connector operable for releasingthe closer of one of said machines, and also in position i'or operationby the closer of the other machine.

7. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof operativelyconnected weighi11g-machines, one of which isself-discharging; of means operated by said sel-dischargin g machine fordischarging the bucket-load oi the other machine.

S. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairot' eoactin g weighing-machines, each having a bucket mechanismembodying two members, one of which is shiftable relatively to the otherfor discharging the bucket-load; of means i'or holding said membersagainst movement; and meansfor releasing one of said members, and forreleasing the other member on the release of said iirst-mentionedmember.

9. In an apparatus of the class specied, the combination with a pair ofweighing-inaehines; of a connector supported by a xed part of saidapparatus, and operable for discharging the bucket-load of one of saidmachines; and means, operated by the other machine, for operating saidconnector.

10. In an apparatus ot' the class specilied, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, of a connector between said machines and havingsaid connector operable Vfor discharging the bucket-load of one of saidmachines; and means, operated by a moving part of the other machine,'for operating said connector.

1l.. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairoi weighing-machines, one of which embodies a member which is shiftablefor discharging the bucketload thereof; of a connector operable fordischarging the bucket-load ol the other machine; and means, operativewith said shil'table member, for operatin g said connector.

12. In an apparatus ot' the class speciiied, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiftable member; of a latchnormally holding said member against movement; and means, operated bythe other machine, for tripping said latch.

13. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiltable member; of a latchfor holding said member against movement; an actuator, operated by theother machine, for tripping said latch; and means for maintaining saidactuator in an ineflecthre position.

14. In an apparatus of the class specilied, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiftable member; of a latchfor holding said member against movement; and a by-pass actuator,operated by the other machine, for tripping said latch'.

15. In an apparatus of the class specilied, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiftable member; of a latchfor holding said member against movement; a connector between saidmachines, and adapted to be operated by one of said machines; a rodoperatively connected with said connector; and an actuator on said rodoperable for tripping said latch.

1G. In an apparatus ot the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiitable member; of a latchfor holding said member against movement; a connector between saidmachines, and having a projection thereon to be engaged by meansoperative with one of said machines to thereby operate said connector;and an actuator operative with said connector, and operable for trippingsaid latch.

17. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiftable member; of a latchfor holding said shiftable member against movement; a connector betweensaid machines, and in position to be operated by one of said machines; aconnecting-rod carrying an actuator operable for tripping said IOO IOS

IIO

latch; and an angle-lever operatively connected, respectively, with saidconnectingrod and connector.

1S. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiftable member; of a latchfor holding said shiftable member a-gainst movement; a connector betweensaid machines, and in position to be operated by one of said machines; aconnecting-rod carrying an actuator operable for tripping said latch; anangledever operatively connected, respectively, with said connecting-rodand connector; and a spring connecting said anglo-lever with a fixedpart of the apparatus.

l). In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a member which is shiftable fordischarging the bucket load thereof of means for holding said shiftable.

member against movement; a connector in position to be operated by theother machine; and connections between said connector and thefirst-mentioned machine, for releasing the shiftable member thereof onthe operation of said connector.

20. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a member which is shiftable fordischarging the bucket load thereof; of aconnector; connections betweensaid connector and said machine, for releasing the shiftable memberthereof on the operat-ion of said connector; and a rotative memberoperative with the other machine, and havin g means for engaging saidconnector and operating the same.

2l.- In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-ma chines, one of which has a member which is shiftablc fordischarging the bucket-load thereof; of a connector between saidmachines; connections between said connector and said machine, forreleasing said shiftable member; a rotative member operative by theother machine; and a removable pin or pins, carried by said rotat-ivemember, for engaging said connector.

22. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a member which is shiftable fordischarging the bucket -load thereof; of a connector between saidmachines; connections between said connector and said shiftable memberfor releasing the same; a rotative member operative with the othermachine and having a series of openings; and a pin or pins adapted te beset in said openings, for engaging and operating said connector.

23. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a member which is shiftable fordischarging the bucket -load thereof; of a connector between saidmachines; connections between said connector and said machine, forreleasing the shiftable member thereof; a ratchet; a pawl operative withthe other machine for rotating said ratchet; and a device carried bysaid ratchet, for engaging and operating said connector on the rotationof said ratchet.

2l. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, each having a bucket provided with a closernormally held against movement; of a connector between said machines;connections between said connector and one of the machines, forreleasing the closer thereof; a rotative member; a device, carried bysaid rotative member, for operating said connector; and means, operativewith the closer of the other n achine, for rotating said rotativemember.

25. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, each having a bucket provided with a closernormally held against movement; of a connector between said machines;connections between said connector and one of the machines, forreleasing the closer thereof; a ratchet; a device carried by saidratchet for operating said connector; and a pawl, operative with thecloser of the other machine, for rotating said ratchet.

26. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, one of which has a shiftable member normally heldagainst movement; of a rotatively-supported member; means operated bythe other machine for rotating said member; and connections between saidrotative member and the first-mentioned machine, for releasing saidshiftable member.

27. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, each of which has a shiftable member normally heldagainst movement; of means for releasing one of said members; arotatively supported member; connections operated by the shiftablemember of one of said machines, for rotating said rotative member; andconnections between the latter and the other machine, for releasing theshiftable member thereof.

2S. In an apparatus of the class specified, the combination with a pairof weighing-machines, constituting, respectively, a primaryweighing-machine and a secondary weighin gmachine; of a connectorbetween said weighing-machines; connections between said connector andthe secondary weighing-machine for discharging the bucket-load thereof;a ratchet having means for operating said connector; a pawl for rotatingsaid ratchet; and connections between said pawl and a moving part of theprimary weighingmachine- FRANCIS II. RICHARDS.

lVitnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, GEO. A. HOFFMAN.

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